Aitor Larrazabal “Gaizka Is Mature And Humble Enough To Handle The Pressure”

Over two decades ago Aitor Larrazabal scored a very special goal. The Athletic left-back found the back of the net from a free kick against Real Sociedad in February of 1998 and celebrated by putting a pacifier in his mouth. Larrazabal was honoring the birth of his son, Gaizka, and would go on to do the same in a few other games that followed.

“When Gaizka was small I hit the goal post so I put the pacifier in my shorts because I wanted to celebrate the goals in an original way”, he told Radio Marca in a recent interview. Today everything has come full circle. Athletic announced earlier this week that Gaizka Larrazabal will be officially promoted to the first team this summer and his father is very excited.

“The dream as a father of having a child who wants to follow in your footsteps, who does what he likes and makes it to the first division, makes you feel fulfilled”, Aitor explained. Being the son of a club legend isn’t easy. There is a lot of pressure that comes with having the Larrazabal name, but that isn’t a concern for the proud father. “Gaizka is different from me”, he said. “He will always be my son, but he is mature and humble enough to handle the pressure of that and to make his own career with Athletic.”

While Gaizka looks to earn his place in the squad this summer, his father will continue as the manager of Barakaldo. “Each case is different”, Aitor answered when asked what it would be like to coach his son. “If I had to train my son I would do it, although it may not be the best for him.” It may have all started with that pacifier, but Gaizka Larrazabal is ready to make his own name at Athletic Club.